SAUCY BARK. 101 
% 
a displacer, and a diluted tincture of the Saucy Bark passed 
slowly through. 
The charcoal was afterwards washed, dried, and boiled 
with absolute alcohol. 
Evaporation revealed a crystalline matter associated with 
resin, a spirituous solution of this substance did not effect 
litmus or turmeric paper. It was found to be deleterious to 
life, and its effects on the animal economy were similar to 
those produced by the Gidu. 
The want of material prevented further research, and it 
is a subject of regret that the writer was not in possession 
of a quantity of bark sufficient to have allowed a more 
complete analysis, and especially to have ascertained the 
nature of the principle which has been so destructive to 
human life. 
In conclusion it may be stated that the kernel of the 
fruit* of the Cubera Tanghin,t a tree growing in Mada- 
gascar, on the eastern coast of Africa, is employed in that 
island for the same purpose as the Saucy Bark is on the 
western coast. 
Its activity as a poison is very extreme, as one kernel 
though containing less than a cubic inch of substance, is 
capable of destroying more than twenty persons. 
Moreover, the symptoms preceding and occurring at 
death are similar to those produced by the bark. 
From these facts there is great probability that the trees 
producing the several articles are allied. 
At present, however, there is no certainty, but it is left 
to the decision which will be the result of more mature 
knowledge. 
* Analysed by Henry & Olivier — Journal De Pharmacie, t. x. p. 49. 
f Curtis' Bot. Mag., vol. iv. tabula 2968. 
9* 
